Dr. Sajjan S. Thool (Pg. 126-129)
Associate Professor, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Near Gangapur Dam, NASIK-422222 (M.S.)Email- [email protected]
Information and Communication Technology is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning. ICT plays an important role in Distance and Open Learning education it gives healthy teaching learning platform to the student as well as counsellor. Digitised information communication system are using in Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University. This University provides non-print and supportive learning Material through EDUSAT, Yashwani Radio, Online lectures. YCMOU is applied the digitization in Admission Process, Teaching-Learning and Examination and Evaluation process. This study will eventually help to understand the feasibility, affordability and effectiveness of digitization to impart knowledge in such Open University where students come from both urban and rural areas of Maharashtra State.
Keywords: Feasibility, Effectiveness, Affordability, Teaching, Learning, Examination, Evaluation
Introduction: -
The Yashwantrao Chavhan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) was established in July 1989 as the first University in the Maharashtra state which is wholly dedicated to Open and Distance Learning, in this research study. Researcher has studied about the effective use of digitization in various educational systems. The University provides print- based materials, recorded lectures, library recourses, online lectures, Student support facility, online programming, earn and learn facility, MOOCs Programs etc. In each and every section we can see the huge digitization in YCMOU. The main aim of the YCMOU is to become a Mass Varsity and to make available to the common man, educational programmes that are of practical use in his day-to-day life and those that provide better prospects for the future. The University offers several offline programmes and has also embarked on a number of innovative online initiatives. In this research paper researcher has discuss various areas University system where digitization can use feasible, affordable and effectively, because the
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educational system and processes are greatly influenced by the incredibly rapid technology changes.
YCMOU is using digitization in various levels such as admission process, teaching, learning and Evaluation and examination process.
Digitization of Admission Process
University has developed Software for admission for all programmes of various certificates, Diplomas, Degrees, PGs and Research Degree level. Every year up to 6 lack students are getting admission for various programmes. It is open for all women and men adult learner for the admission there is no limitation of age factor above 18 years. At the very beginning of the academic year university has published an advertisement in every local newspaper and all state news channels all over the Maharashtra state, also an advertisement uploaded on university website. In the advertisement detail information regarding timetable of the admission, extended schedule, fees structure, and university programme wise prospectus were given. For the every programme Admission University totally follows online admission process, to make it comfortable for Learner University provides all detail guideline of the admission as well as a sample admission form given on website, admission form to be filled in English language only name of the candidate is to be written in devnagri (Marathi) font. Document, photo, signature uploaded facility is provided. Admission fees submission facility is in the software apart from these net banking, online payment facility also provided to the students. Student of Maharashtra state can fill admission form at any recognized study centre, at home, at cyber place etc. After the admission process student gets confirmation and PRN by SMS on students register mobile No. B.Ed admission process is one of the best examples for the same. Students enrolment update list were sent online to the respective study centre with PRN no. Study centre get financial share through online mode.
Digitization for Learning
University has developed their own study material in form of print and non print material. The language of study material is very simple and easy to understand for students. On the basis of Study Material student gets employment and skilled human resource person. The structure of study material has well formatted by the expertise in form of Self Instructional Material. The content of study material is well structured and covers all the points of syllabus even it is verified by the educational expert people. To make learning process more comfortable, University has provided print Material along with audio video recorded CD/Cassettes to the students. University develop their own non print online
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educational programmes and its publication on website. University has their own Audio Video Centres for developing the learning material. YCMOU has EDUSAT for teleconferencing lectures and it is using single mode and also two way mode. University, Regional Centres and study centres has linked through website/email for students problem solving. University has Yashwani Radio and lectures are delivering to students through this Radio. Digital library and recently university is developing their own MOOCs pdf format Books, E-journal, Resource Information and Home Assignments facility are available on University website.
Digitization in Teaching/Counselling Session
Counselling is therefore a means of communication between the counsellor and Learner in which the counsellor assists the learner to understand both the negative and positive life challenges. This, therefore, calls for counsellors in ODL to acquire highly effective skills to be able to assist students understand the learning challenges as a result of the effects of distance on the ODL student which will subsequently lead to low learning motivation (UNESCO, 2004). As per the above mentioned definition of UNESCO, University has defined the counselling schedule for distance learner. Most probably all the Counselling session fixed in holiday, summer or vacation for the learners convenient. The mode of counselling of contact session is mostly face to face mode. Online communication has used by Counsellor for problem solving. Students used e-mail facility for subject related questions, query, problems and difficulties, student also use mobile learning facility by using educational apps, What‘s app, SMS facility also using for contact session and other information.
Digitization for Examination and Evaluation
The University has adopted Home Assignments tool for all programmes and it is using as a part of formative assessment. Every academic year, questions for home assignment of all respective programme, and Evaluation Division were uploaded on University website. Student takes a print of home assignments as per their convenient time and also provision is there the student uploads their hand written home assignments on university website for the further assessment by the examiner. The counsellor‘s assessed marks of home assignment have submitted through online to examination section by Study centre Coordinator.
University also use the class test, Practice test, practical at actual field and viva at the study centre. Soft copy of Question papers with password protected of class test have been sent through e-mail and password of soft copy is given to the Coordinator of SC through
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SMS on register mobile number. Authorise person download the question papers, makes multiple copies for the exam and after the completion of exam study centre submit all the related document regarding exam, marks etc.
YCMOU continuously is developed course wise Question Bank and it is totally developed by subject experts. YCMOU has developed near about 1,57,000 items of various programme. The test has generated through question bank software and it is converted into PDF format with password protected. As per the examination schedule, it is send through the SRPD software to exam centre. As per the announcement of examination at that time hall ticket of the exam, date wise summary list and attendance sheet were issued through online. At the same time, exam centre supervisor uploads the absent student list in examination hall and it is sent through software. Scanned answer sheet is converted in to pdf format with password protected. It has sent to subject expert and User ID with password also be given to the expert. In the CAP centre, the expert has enrolled and then getting Answer sheet for onscreen assessment. While assessing, there is facility of marking of questions by questions in software. Calculation of marks facility is in software and it is easy to examiner for assessing the question paper. Data mining facility is there for result processing. Result also is available on website. Student gets result, Migration Certificate, Rules, Notification through online.
Conclusion:
As per the above all information we can conclude this discussion that with the digitization is the most important in educational implementation and the student gets education with feasibility, affordable and effective process in the students support services. Use of ICT can be reduced query, problems and malpractices in Teaching, Learning and Evaluation as well as Examination process.
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